Peoples Republic of South Devon

Devon does it at work

posted by Cptn

Devon County Council is determined to make the region England’s greenest county, and they are taking the lead to promote a greener working environment, with a new website and prizes for those who cut down on their car travel.

The council is so committed to reducing its carbon footprint it’s launched Doing it for Devon@Work to remind people of stuff they probably already know, like turning off lights and computers and such like, reducing reliance on the car for work and thinking about new flexible working patterns.

There’s a figure flying about that the council could cut 250 tonnes of Co2 emissions if it achieved its Travel Plan targets (about half of the organisation’s carbon footprint is produced by car). And it could save what amounts to 245 trees every month with more paper and card recycling.

They are even looking at a voluntary second car free day.

And as a reward, those who park on site for less than four days a week will be entered into a weekly draw for prizes like vouchers towards walking and cycling equipments and public transport discounts.

© image copyright Derek Harper and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

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September 25th, 2008

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Car free and easy

posted by Cptn

The writing’s on the wall for car travel… well… on the floor, and for today anyway, what with it being car free day.

The whole of the county has been traveling without the use of the internal combustion engine today, and campaigners for a little bit of environmental sense have been out and about too. Part of their remit seems to have been to encourage some impromptu street arts as well.

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September 22nd, 2008

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School walking calendar

posted by Cptn

Youngsters have been using their creative footprint to stamp down their carbon footprint – clever that, ehh?

Three footprint designs – winning a measly £10 book voucher (what can you buy for £10?) have been chosen out of the 1,000 of entries from primary school children, who were asked to create an individual footprint design based on the month of their birthday.

The competition was way back in May as part of National Walk to School Week.

Stay tooned for news on the Car Free Day, coming up on September 20.

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September 17th, 2008

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Rising figures at airport

posted by Cptn

Passenger figures for Exeter airport (sorry, Exeter International Airport) took off in August, despite the fears of the so-called ‘credit crunch’. Apparently, 114,600 passengers either departed or arrived during the month - the highest in the airport’s history. Tis a pity then, that environmental plans (carbon neutral for groundstaff by 2015), are so weak and possibly unachievable and that the money’s dripping out of the area, with people choosing to take their holidays to Tenerife, Majorca, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.

The airport’s deputy managing director, Jamie Christon, told the Midweek Herlad: “The most popular destinations from Exeter were to Tenerife, Majorca, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, but there was a notable take up for the flights to Turkey and the 20th year for our flights to Toronto have proved a great success. The Air Transat aircraft and the operator Canadian Affair have already guaranteed to provide the service in 2009.

Airport passenger traffic, they say, was up by one per cent from the previous year, and charter holiday routes had a growth of three per cent.

It would be good to see the levels of tourism within Devon the airport promotes - afterall we live in a culturally rich holiday destination ourselves…

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September 9th, 2008

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Organic logo

posted by Cptn

Organic news from Brussels (which we actually got from Tory MEP Neil Parish - see below) is that: “A compulsory EU logo for identifying organic products is to be postponed, after MEPs supported a report authored by Neil Parish MEP, Conservative chairman of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee.

“Originally, the logo was due to come into force on January 1, 2009, however it was too easily confused with similar designs such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) labels, and in the UK, the appearance of the word ‘bio’ on labelling was not easily associated with organic produce.

“MEPs have now decided the new logo shall come into force on the July 1, 2010 so that a new logo can be designed.

“Mr Parish told the PRSD: ‘If we went ahead with the current logo implementation date, it would add unacceptable re-labelling costs onto business, and confuse consumers. That is why the European Commission has been asked to think again about the label’s design.

‘Personally, I do not feel organic labelling should be mandatory, however we have lost that battle, so I will continue to press for a clear logo that can easily be incorporated into existing labelling.’”

Creative Commons image from altopower

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September 3rd, 2008

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Sidmouth festival goes green

posted by Cptn

Carnival is a perfect time to go green - at least that’s what the Sid Valley Energy Action Group (that’s SVEAG to you) think.

Cycle driven trailers, wind turnbines and solar panels and five Segway devices will be part of the proceedings. And the group is calling on people to make their own fun, portable piece of kit that flashes or makes a noise and is powered by sustainable energy.

Derek Chant, the SVEAG carnival co-ordinator, told the Sidmouth Herald: “Traditionally the carnival is based on lots of diesel engines and lights, we are trying to show there are alternatives, all we hope to do is promote renewable energy and energy saving.”

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September 1st, 2008

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Fine proposals for recycling

posted by Cptn

Exeter City Council has been banging on the door of getting money of out people who put the wrong rubbish in the wrong bins for ages (or should that be wrong rubbish in the right recycling container?) and a proposal to be considered by the council may introduce fines for persistent recycling offenders.

The idea is that the recycling offenders would be given a written notice advising them on how to separate their waste, and if they don’t they will be ordered to - or to pay the council to do it for them.

The proposal comes after the council’s unsuccessful attempt to prosecute Donna Challice for persistently contaminating her recycling bin.

As David Turner, of Exeter law firm Foot Anstey, told the Express and Echo: “The Challice case shows courts do not find people guilty without hard evidence.”

… apparently it had got all mushy…

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August 31st, 2008

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Fundraiser makes a splash

posted by Cptn

Continuing summer’s watery theme, members of Dartington Playgoers and volunteers from Totnes Oxfam are getting together tonight at St John’s Church, Bridgetown at 7.30pm, for an assortment of words and music based on, in or around… water.

The Oxfam fundraiser is being directed by Canadian poet Mavis Jones, who said her brief was to come up with something entertaining and thought-provoking. She said was sprang to mind as an appropriate subject for Oxfam – which is committed to providing clean water for people all over the world.

She has come up with a range of songs, poems and prose, many of which will be surprisingly familiar to the audience, while some will be quite new.

The majority of prizes for the draw are from eateries throughout the town, and all interval refreshments will be Fair Trade, and Fair Trade goods will be on sale during the evening.

Programmes and tickets have been printed free of charge by Veasey’s and are available from both Oxfam shops in Totnes and at the door.

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August 29th, 2008

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Tuk tuks get tut tut in Totnes

posted by Cptn

Councillors put the kibosh on a Totnes tuk tuk taxi service powered by chip fat because of byelaws.

The Totnes Rickshaw Company applied for a taxi licence to for its two 416cc tuk tuks but was told that the vehicles did not comply with the council’s byelaws or the Hackney Carriage laws.

The three-wheeling plan was to transport people from Streamer Quay up the hill to the top of Totnes, and to go to Bridgetwon, Falloton and Dartington on the recycled cooking oil fueled machines.

Apparently, taxis in Totnes must have two rear doors - the tut tuts have no doors at all– and cabs much have more than 1,300ccs.

Pete Ryeland, one of the men behind the project, is reported to have said: “Byelaws are put there by the community for the community and it’s up to the community to change them.”

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August 27th, 2008

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Taste green Devon

posted by Cptn

Much is made of local produce, but where the heck can you find all these firms that are supposedly on your doorstep?

In an attempt to get all such organisations under one roof, Devon County Council is putting together A Green Taste of Devon at RHS Garden Rosemoor in Great Torrington from 11am to 4pm on Wednesday September 10.

According to the press release: “The exhibition is a showcase for producers to find new markets for their food and drink, and for hoteliers, B&Bs, restaurants and shops to source more Devon produce for their visitors. The event is also a chance for companies to share green solutions and purchasing eco-friendly products and services.”

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, told the PRSD: “People are increasingly interested in the quality of food, how it is grown and how environmentally friendly it is in terms of packaging and waste.

“Locally produced food and drink are also sought more and more by people wishing to see a reduction in food miles. This trade exhibition addresses all of those issues and it could enable more firms in the county to share their experience to help make Devon even greener.”

For an exhibitors pack or to reserve tickets call 01392 383428 or 01392 382176.

And in the meantime, here’s a thirst-quenching list of Devon cider makers.

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August 23rd, 2008

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